5 Tips From Bosch For Making The Perfect Pie Crust

The holidays aren’t far away so it’s time to start thinking about pies. Yes, pies; a tradition that is as much a part of Thanksgiving as a turkey, or as a twinkling tree is to Christmas.

Instead of going for a store bought crust this year, how about making your own? Here are five tips to easily make the perfect pie crust every time, so you can impress your friends, family, coworkers and anyone else lucky enough to get a slice.

1. Keep Your Ingredients Nice And Cold

As gluten develops, it can impact the consistency of your dough. The warmer your dough gets, the more time it will have for that growth. You can inhibit it by making sure all of your ingredients are cold while you are using them. Use ice water instead of lukewarm water, keep your butter in the fridge until you are ready to use it and you may even want to pop your flour in the fridge for a short time to cool it.

2. Add Some Citric Acid

Some recipes will call for citric acid but most don’t. Nevertheless, it should never be skipped as it is a great way to keep your crust from becoming soggy, especially at the bottom of the pan – because nobody likes a soggy bottom. Add a dash of lemon juice when you are mixing the dough, or freshly squeeze in a bit of lime. It will also give the crust a nice, unique flavor that goes well with any filling.

3. Prebake Your Crust

Another way to avoid a soggy bottom is to prebake (or flash bake) your crust. Doing this will harden your pie crust a bit before adding the wet filling. In order to keep the crust flat and prevent bubbling and cracks, consider using an oven safe dish or pie weight in the center.

4. Add A Little Moisture

Is your crust crumbling or falling apart while you form it? You probably need a bit more moisture to help it stay intact. Grab your measuring spoons and add a teaspoon of cold water (one at a time) to wet it down. Don’t add too much or your dough will get soggy. If you accidently add too much, just go add a little bit more flour to counteract it.

5. Be Gentle With The Dough

The more you handle your dough, the more it is likely to have problems. To avoid creating tough or brittle dough, limit how much you mix it. Having a little bit of egg or butter that hasn’t been fully mixed in won’t hurt the consistency or flavor, so don’t worry about incorporating it fully.

The most important tip we can offer when it comes to baking pie crust – or anything else – is to have the right tools. The Bosch stand mixer is a versatile kitchen appliance with a wide variety of uses. The powerful motor, hand-like dough hook, and easy to access mixing bowl make this stand mixer a great addition to any baking project. The food processor attachment is perfect for making pie crust quickly and effectively.

Now that you have mastered making pie crust, fill it with something delicious, bake it to perfection, and let the pie do its work- bringing family and friends together!